Hi, it’s Mee-wa. The Olympic season passed so quickly, and now we have the “Obon” season in Japan. “Obon” indicates the period from August 13 to 16, when most Japanese companies are closed and a lot of people stop working. Yes, “Obon” is one of the Japanese traditional customs. “Obon” is sometimes said as “bon,” …
Continue reading Just an Ordinary Life in Japan (010): What is “Obon”?
Hi, it’s Mee-wa. How are you doing?I was busy watching the Olympic games on TV until last Sunday. The Olympics are over now, but I still feel like doing exercise, as I was stimulated by great performances of the Olympians! By the way, I’d like to introduce to you how to make a small paper …
Continue reading Just an Ordinary Life in Japan (009): A Useful “Origami” Box
The rainy season is over now, and the summer has brought us hot boiling days in Japan! The high temperature in the Kanto Area (around Tokyo) will be between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius (about 86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) for a while, probably until the middle of September. Many school children from elementary schools …
Continue reading Just an Ordinary Life in Japan (008): Summer has come, but this year . . .
Hi, it’s Mee-wa. My husband and I had a little business to do at “Narita Airport” the other day, but the atmosphere in the whole place was not “ordinary” at all. Two “Tokyo” Airports? Before I go any further, I should probably introduce to you a little about Narita Airport. As you may know, Narita …
Continue reading Just an Ordinary Life in Japan (007): Not “Ordinary” at Airport?
Hello, it’s Mee-wa, the chief editor of this website. It is busy time for many shipping companies in Japan now, because there is a traditional custom in Japan called “ochugen,” which means “sending gifts” to your supervisors/colleagues at work, your relative/family, or your close friends, in order to show your everyday gratitude. Ochugen gifts are …
Continue reading Just an Ordinary Life in Japan (006): Ochugen — Gift-Sending Custom in Japan
Edamame is in season now!!! Hello, it’s Mee-wa! I found an Edamame farm when I was taking a walk around my house the other day. All the edamame pods seem to be ready for harvest. Seeing edamame waiting to be harvested makes me feel that “summer” is coming soon! (Summer in Japan usually starts near …
Continue reading Just an Ordinary Life in Japan (005): Edamame (Green Soybeans)
Hi, it’s Mee-wa. My previous article about “maintenance hole covers” was too maniac, so today I’d like tell you about one of the most famous fast food services in Japan, “McDonald’s.” Now there are some new menu items in collaboration with Pokemon. The package design is cute! This will be popular among children. The photo …
Continue reading What is XXX like in Japan? (2) -McDonald’s (June, 2021)
Hi, it’s Mee-wa! How is everyone doing? Have you ever seen a Japanese maintenance hole (or manhole) cover? You would probably NEVER see such a thing in tourist guidebooks, but its world is very deep and really funny, I think. The cover designs of maintenance holes in Japan differ between cities, prefectures, or areas. Of …
Continue reading What is XXX like in Japan? (1) -Maintenance Hole Covers
A lucky charm to pray for good weather: -Teru-Teru Bozu- Hi, everyone. It’s Mee-wa. It’s getting hotter and hotter in Japan. I remember in this season that I would often make a “Teru-Teru Bozu” when I was a kid. This is the photo of a doll I personally made using tissue paper, and it is …
Continue reading Just an Ordinary Life in Japan (004): Teru-Teru Bozu
Japanese home-made plum wine vol.2 Would you like some? Hi, it’s Mee-wa!Today I’d like to introduce how to make Japanese plum wine. First, we prepare the following things. Ingredients Japanese Plum 1 kgBrandy 1.8 litersRock Sugar 750 g Also, we need an empty four-liter jar, which should be carefully washed and dried beforehand. Now, the …
Continue reading Just an Ordinary Life in Japan (003): Plum Wine (2)